Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Banking & Finance

Canada Guide 2026 : Nationwide - Canada

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blakes is recognized as having one of Canada's preeminent financial services practices including the largest, most active financial services regulatory practice in the country. We are known for our deep-bench strength and industry expertise. Many of the largest and most highly regarded financial institutions (including domestic and foreign banks, insurance companies, trust and loan companies and credit unions), operators of payment systems, financial-service providers and Fintechs retain us as counsel.

Our lawyers have wide-ranging experience in structuring, negotiating and documenting domestic and cross-border financing transactions, including syndications, project finance, asset-based lending, high-yield offerings, equipment finance, structured financing, subordinated debt arrangements, aircraft finance and capital markets debt offerings. Having pioneered many of the techniques and deal structures used in Canada today, Blakes is a leader in the securitization arena.

We offer leading expertise across all areas of bank regulation and compliance to leading foreign banks and their affiliates on establishing new entities, bank products and structuring cross-border arrangements in compliance with Canada’s banking legislation. Our lawyers are particularly skilled at assessing regulatory risk and developing strategies to meet a client’s needs and business model, communicating complex topics, and fostering strong relationships with regulators while maintaining the client’s reputation.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a pre-eminent Canadian law firm in the banking and finance space, with robust expertise in acquisition and project finance, as well as acting on financing amendments, refinancings and ESG-linked credit facilities within the real estate, mining and energy sectors. It is also well regarded for its experience of syndicated lending and debt financing, servicing a client base of leading domestic banks and global financial services providers. The firm is renowned for its involvement in especially high-value deals and is distinguished by its nationwide and international reach. Furthermore, Blakes is held in high esteem for its full-service regulatory group handling M&A transactions in the banking sector, insurance regulation, product rollouts and anti-money laundering mandates. Clients also seek Blakes' advice on operational expansions and strategic partnership set-ups in Canada. The team regularly acts as an adviser to financial institutions hailing from the USA, Asia and Europe.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon advised Advent International on its acquisition of Nuvei Corporation in a USD6.3 billion transaction.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We can rely on the quality of the advice, timely execution of work and understanding of how our business works.

    Banking & Finance respondentCanada

  • Blakes is seen as the expert in bank regulatory law in Canada.

    Banking & Finance respondentCanada

  • It is an exceptionally smart, experienced and detail-oriented firm.

    Banking & Finance respondentCanada

  • Blakes really shines on the complex matters as their lawyers are incredibly smart and talented.

    Banking & Finance respondentCanada

  • Blakes is thorough and will engage other departments as needed to solve complex matters.

    Banking & Finance respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Michael Matheson
    Michael Matheson

    Michael Matheson

    Michael Matheson is a noted leader in Canadian banking and finance law, with expertise cutting across a range of areas, including syndicated lending and refinancing. He operates out of the firm's Toronto office.

    • He is a fantastic lawyer who is very commercial, experienced and gives great client service.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • He quickly gets to the point and provides solid advice.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • Michael is a very experienced and accomplished lawyer who provides best in class service and accessibility. He is also very commercial when providing advice.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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  • Paul Belanger
    Paul Belanger

    Paul Belanger

    Toronto-based Paul Belanger remains highly rated for his regulatory expertise across all areas of Canadian financial services. His impressive client roster includes market-leading banks. He offers notable experience in the regulatory aspects of transactions in the financial sector.

    • Paul is among the select few that are the top tier in this practice area.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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  • J Michael McIntosh KC
    J Michael McIntosh KC

    J Michael McIntosh KC

    Michael McIntosh KC has cultivated an excellent reputation in the Canadian banking sector. He handles a variety of impressive mandates, including major project financing initiatives and financing amendments. Based in Calgary, he is particularly active in the energy and oil and gas sectors.

    • Mike provides excellent and timely advice.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • Michael knows the market and is a really smart guy. He comes up with thoughtful solutions.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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  • Jacqueline D Shinfield
    Jacqueline D Shinfield

    Jacqueline D Shinfield

    Based out of Toronto, Jacqueline Shinfield is a leading figure when it comes to financial services regulatory matters. She has extensive expertise in card payments, fintech and anti-terrorism financing regulations.

    • Jackie is terrific.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • She is very practical and pragmatic, has deep regulatory knowledge and is a respected industry leader.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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  • Simon A Finch
    Simon A Finch

    Simon A Finch

    Simon Finch remains a trusted adviser for prominent banks due to his strength in revolving credit agreements and asset-based lending. He operates from the firm's Toronto office.

    • It was an intellectual edge he gave to our case.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • Simon is an exceptional lawyer, possessing extensive commercial awareness and a wide range of expertise, making him a valuable asset to any team.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • Simon brings a solutions-oriented approach to the table.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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  • Bonny Murray
    Bonny Murray

    Bonny Murray

    Bonny Murray operates from the firm's Toronto office and enjoys a growing presence in the financial services market. Her expertise ranges from payment processing contracts to payment system overhauls, and she also has experience assisting clients to obtain Bank Act regulatory approvals.

    • Bonny is client-centric and an expert in her field. She is my trusted partner.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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  • Vladimir Shatiryan
    Vladimir Shatiryan

    Vladimir Shatiryan

    Toronto-based Vladimir Shatiryan draws strong praise for his depth of understanding in banking regulatory matters. He assists banks and other payment services providers with the regulatory aspects of transactions in the financial services sector and compliance with Canadian legislation.

    • I feel like Vlad is part of our team. He is very reliable and gives great advice regardless of the complexity of the subject.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • We are very happy with the timely and practical advice provided to us by Vlad on bank regulatory matters.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • Vlad is great at a practical level.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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  • Jennifer Hancock
    Jennifer Hancock

    Jennifer Hancock

    Jennifer Hancock is frequently seen acting for lenders on refinancing and financing amendment negotiations. She is based in Toronto.

    • Her drafting is meticulous and her advice is sound and practical.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada

    • Jennifer has great technical skills and can negotiate and communicate.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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  • Mena Bellofiore
    Mena Bellofiore

    Mena Bellofiore

    Mena Bellofiore is an up-and-coming lawyer noted for her financial regulatory compliance expertise, particularly in relation to payment and consumer protection laws. She is based in Toronto.

    • Mena offers excellent client service. She is very responsive.

      Banking & Finance respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (9)

Nationwide - Canada

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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has rankings in the following guides

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